The Keys to a Happy Relationship

A new study shows what impacts relationships most.

A new study by Open University polled a variety of different families (heterosexual and homosexual couples, single parents, etc.) to find what worked in their relationships and what didn't (via the LA Times). The full study (available here for anyone who wants to geek out over bar graphs and statistics) delves into the factors that can impact relationships, as well as the happiness and satisfaction of different kinds of families. The results are fascinating:

1. Gay couples without children report the highest levels of satisfaction in their relationships. Heterosexual childless couples come in at a close second, followed by gay and then straight parents. Apparently kids have a major impact on your relationship quality and satisfaction. The results are flipped when participants were asked about their overall happiness: parents were more likely to be satisfied in life.

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2. Married people reported lower relationship quality — but higher overall life satisfaction — than unmarrieds. (If you're keeping score at home, being married had more of an effect on overall happiness than being parents did.)

3. Mothers reported their child being the most important person in their lives, while fathers said their wife was the focus of their life.

4. Money, education levels, and religion did not have a big impact on satisfaction and happiness levels.

5. Most couples felt that they were on the same page in terms of how often they wanted to have sex.

6. The biggest complaint in relationships was that there wasn't enough communication.